Hundreds of Black and non-binary artists are rallying around Francesca Amewudah-Rivers<\/strong> in the wake of the racial abuse she\u2019s facing since being cast opposite Tom Holland<\/strong><\/a> in \u201cRomeo & Juliet.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n An open letter<\/strong><\/a> \u2014 initiated by Susan Wokoma <\/strong>and Somalia Nony\u00e9 Seaton<\/strong> \u2014 was signed by almost 900 performers and published Wednesday in The Guardian \u2026 where they praised Francesca as a rising star in London\u2019s West End theater district.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n However, the note also addressed the racially charged abuse Francesca faced after being revealed as the romantic lead in the new production of the Shakespeare classic.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The letter reads in part, \u201cThe racist and misogynistic abuse directed at such a sweet soul has been too much to bear. For a casting announcement of a play to ignite such twisted ugly abuse is truly embarrassing for those so empty and barren in their own lives that they must meddle in hateful abuse.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Several notable names put their John Hancocks on the letter, including \u201cCaptain Marvel\u201d star Lashana Lynch<\/strong>, \u201cThe Woman King\u201d actress Sheila Atim<\/strong>, \u201cNew Amsterdam\u201d lead <\/em>Freema Agyeman<\/strong>, and \u201cGhosts\u201d star Lolly Adefope<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n This show of support comes a week after The Jamie Lloyd Company, the producer for \u2018R&J,\u2019 issued a statement slamming the racism<\/strong><\/a> one cast member faced online. Their statement doesn\u2019t mention Francesca by name \u2014 probably intentionally \u2014 it\u2019s clear she\u2019s the victim to which it\u2019s referring.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n Tom has faced a barrage of comments urging him to speak out in defense of Francesca, as he\u2019s been noticeably silent on the situation. However, JLC\u2019s statement previously said the cast would be focusing \u201con the creation of our production\u201d moving forward.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n \u201cRomeo & Juliet\u201d is premiering in a little over a month at the Duke of York\u2019s Theatre in London \u2026 and, according to the website, the 12-week run is already sold out.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n We covered the drama on the latest episode of The TMZ Podcast<\/strong><\/a>, available on all podcast platforms.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n![\"Francesca](\"https:\/\/etrafficlane.com\/newline\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/1712817026_442_Actors-Support-039Romeo-amp-Juliet039-Francesca-Amewudah-Rivers-After-Racial-Abuse.jpg\" "\\"actress\\"")
\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"romeo](\"https:\/\/etrafficlane.com\/newline\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/1712817026_636_Actors-Support-039Romeo-amp-Juliet039-Francesca-Amewudah-Rivers-After-Racial-Abuse.jpg\")
\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/etrafficlane.com\/newline\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/1712817026_907_Actors-Support-039Romeo-amp-Juliet039-Francesca-Amewudah-Rivers-After-Racial-Abuse.jpg\")
\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n